Everything About Ella Fitzgerald: The First Lady of Song

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was a music legend and continues to rule the hearts of billions of music lovers across the world. With 13 Grammy awards and more than 200 albums to her name, the singer is referred to as the "Queen of Jazz", "First Lady of Song" and other names. She is known for her vocal range, perfect pitch, impeccable diction, timing, phrasing, and intonation. She debuted in 1934, and went on to become one of the world's best female jazz singers of all time. Let’s take this opportunity to get to know this eminent personality through this article. And to listen to her songs, you can tune into one of the top swing Jazz music stations.

Early Life

Ella Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News Virginia. Her mother was Temperance "Temple" Henry, who was a laundry girl, and father was William Fitzgerald. Soon after her birth, she moved with her mother, and stepfather, Joseph da Silva, to Yonkers, in Westchester County, New York. In 1923, her half-sister Frances da Silva was born. She remained close to her stepsister all her life. When she was just 15 years old, her mother passed away, and she ran away to her aunt's house to escape her abusive stepfather. She then worked odd jobs and even worked as a lookout for a brothel with a Mafia-affiliated numbers runner. She was caught by the police and kept in the Colored Orphan Asylum in the Bronx. However, later, she was sent to the New York Training School for Girls due to overcrowding. She escaped the state reformatory and was homeless for a while. It is believed that by singing on the streets of Harlem, she managed to survive during these homeless years.

Career

It was in 1934 that she debuted at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. She originally had the intention of performing a dance number there. However, she changed her mind when she saw the dance of the Edward Sisters. So, chose to sing a song named Judy by Hoagy Carmichael, and she earned the winning prize of $25. After her performance at the Apollo Theater, she got the chance to sing with the Tiny Bradshaw band at the Harlem Opera House. At this place, she came across Chick Webb, who again gave her the opportunity to become a daily singer with his orchestra. It was from here that her singing career took a huge turn, and with this group, she produced many hit songs, for example, "If You Can’t Sing It" and others. Her big break, however, came when she got the opportunity to sing a nursery rhyme, "A-Tisket, A-Tasket." It was the year 1938.

After Chick Webb died, Fitzgerald started leading the band and renamed it "Ella and her Famous Orchestra." This band broke up in the year 1942, when Fitzgerald decided to start her solo career and left the band. She first signed with the Decca Label, and during the years with Decca, Fitzgerald started scatting. One of the top hits of this period is "Oh, Lady Be Good." She left Decca in 1955 and signed with Verve Records, which was created by her manager for her. It was with Verve that she produced her most famous Songbook series. The series also went on to celebrate other famous musicians like Duke Ellington, which won her public love.

Later in the year 1963Verve was sold to MGM 1963. The contract with Fitzgerald was not renewed, and she moved to Reprise, Atlantic, and Capitol Records. In1987, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan. Later in the year 1992, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George H. W. Bush.

You can listen to her songs on the swing jazz music station, that plays jazz and swing hits from the golden era of music.

The last years of life

In the last years of her life, she suffered from many complications that had developed due to her diabetes problem. In 1985, she was admitted to the hospital for a respiratory problem; in 1986, due to congestive heart failure; and again in 1990, due to exhaustion. She appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in March 1990 for the launch of Jazz FM, and she also performed here. In 1993 both her legs were amputated due to diabetes's effects, and her eyesight was also affected. In 1996, on June 15th, she died due to a stroke at the age of 79.

Best works

Here is a complete list of Ella Fitzgerald's best works.

• Into each life, some rain Must Fall
• A- Tisket, A-Tasket
• Cheek to Cheek
• Dream A Little Dream of Me
• But Not for Me
• Bewitched
• Mack the Knife
• Cry Me a River
• Blue Skies

Want to listen to these songs, and more songs by Ella Fitzgerald, then you will need to visit a radio station that plays Swing Jazz music's old-time radio recordings in the USA for the best experience.

Conclusion

Many years have passed since the Queen of Jazz has left the world; however, she continues to amaze song lovers across the world with her work and melodious voice till date. So, this was Ella Fitzgerald for you. If you want to listen to songs you can tune into the best Swing Jazz music station Swing Street Radio, as it plays great Swing and Jazz songs 24/7.